It will really free you up a lot. Diabetes felt overwhelming and like such a big part of my son’s life when he was on MDI…now… his is much improved…and it seems like a much smaller part of his life. He doesn’t “over eat” now at all. He and I feel sooo much more free now and not having to pull out a shot at a restaurant…wow… that makes the biggest difference for him. Teen years are hard enough w/ out needing to do that!
I do think people feel defensive for some strange reason on their “choice” methods. Like I said before… find what fits best for you. I hope it makes your life better. As a mother of a diabetic…but not one…I can truely say I respect you and anyone living with this…you deserve to find what makes your life easier… less stressed. If you do go w/the Omnipod… feel free to ask me questions… we are new to it too and have learned some great tricks along the way.
Yeah, definitely sounds like you are ready to make the switch and are not being dragged along kicking and screaming. That has to make a huge difference in motivation and desire to learn something new. Like you said, you can always switch back if you don’t like it.
I was on MDI for 11 years and got the Animas Ping this past January. I wasn’t doing bad on MDI, however, I began taking notice of the small things in life that the D made hard that would be less of a burden with a pump. Little things like stopping off at a hot dog vender on the street and grabing a quick bite to eat. Being at football/baseball games and getting something from the concession stands. Crazy wedding reception meals. Correcting a slightly high BG.
I no longer have to pull out an insulin pen in a crowded room, pull out my shirt, search around for a spot to inject to, put a pen needle on the tip of the pen, prime the pen into the air. inject, deal with residual blood if i hit a capillary… etc, etc. With my Ping, I just pull out the remote, hit a few buttons and that’s that. I can also give myself accurate SMALL doses of insulin to fix slightly high numbers without adding another injection to the day.
I used to be quite active a few years ago and I’m looking to get back into shape again (I’m really lean, just waaaaay out of shape lol). I did play a rough game of flag football with my pump on though and it wasn’t a problem. I was wearing a SPIBelt (www.spibelt.com) and I didn’t even know it was there. I highly recommend it if you get a traditional pump (Medtronic or Animas).
As far as doing sit-ups and certain exercises with the pump. I haven’t gotten there yet, however, I think I’m just going to come up with a workout plan that works around where my current infusion set is placed. For instance, if I want to do abs, I’ll make sure that my infusion set is placed on my outer thigh when that days workout comes.
As with anything, there are benefits and trade-offs.
Benefits and trade-offs for sure.
Way off topic, but I was fortunate enough to be in on some the later inhaleable insulin trials just before FDA approval. At first, I thought it was the best thing EVAR!!
After dealing with the delivery system (if you are embarassed injecting yourself in a crowd, try whipping out an inhaler the size of a plasic water bottle in the middle of a restaurant), boxes full of aluminum packets of powdered insulin at various doses, and having to hand clean the delivery system every day, I was glad to get back to injectable.
I chose a pump with tubing and I love it. I can put my infusion set one place and move the pump around to where I might need to wear it while I am doing different things. If you were doing yoga put it on the front of your body and if you are doing push ups just move it to the back of your body.
Depending on the pump and the infusion set that you use will depend on if a needle is in you at all times. Most of us just have a piece of plastic in us.
You may want to ask your doctor about prescribing a continuous glucose monitor also. That will help you with your lows.
honestly, if your triathlon is in june (its now june) and you have not or are just starting on the pump, I would skip the triathlon or stay on MDI’s until its over. Your control is going to be far from perfect once you start the pump due to the differences in treatment that fail to translate from shots to pump therapy. I would give it a minimum of 3 months to iron out the kinks, and get things figured out. I dont mean to discourage you, but just trying to provide a practical outlook on the situation
I agree. I just started on the pump three weeks ago, and though I continued (indoor, treadmill) running, I don’t think it would be a good idea to participate in a triathlon (or any intense sporting event) so soon after starting. Three months (as suggested above) seems like a good time frame to me.
cool…I’m unwilling to NOT do the tri. I’ve been training sooooooo long. I just wont start on the pump until after it’s over. Thanks for the help 
I wanted to say I think your a great mom to help your son with his diabetes. He’s lucky to have you, and I think you are very educated…so you son will be too. He’s going to be just fine, BECAUSE of you and your help…he WILL be able to manage his own insulin.
- Justina
Thanks man! I don’t think I’m goin’ to miss the stupid little blood stains on the front of my shirt from injections! We’ll see, just ordered the Omni pod…but still not super stoked about bein’ bionic yet.
-Justina
Just thought I would chime in.
As far as P’s opinions go, I respectfully and wholeheartedly disagree. The mere “convenience” of an insulin pump is tremendous and makes my diabetes a lot more manageable and controllable. I suspect that virtually every other insulin pumper would agree. Just stick with the opinions of insulin pumpers, and evaluate all of the choices. It’s a big decision.
I have been on a pump for 20 years. I spent 19 years on a Medtronic pump, and the last year on the OmniPod. I adore the OmniPod because it is tubeless, waterproof, always attached and delivering insulin, provides many more places for insulin infusion (i.e., on a tubed pump, using the arm is just about impossible), has automated cannula insertion, and is a lot easier to contend with at night. I would start crying if I had to go back to my Medtronic pump.
Of course, the OmniPod might not be right for you. I would look at the Ping if you consider a tubed pump. I think Medtronic’s pump interface is woefully antiquated and lacks user friendliness.
Good luck with your decisionmaking!
Best of luck on your triathlon! What an achievement that will be.